7.  In his time it was, that the augurs came into a great increase of reputation.  He found it his interest to promote the superstition of the people; for this was, in fact, but to increase their obedience.  Tan’aquil, his wife, was a great pretender to this art; but Ac’cius Nae’vius was the most celebrated adept of the kind ever known in Rome. 8.  Upon a certain occasion, Tarquin, being resolved to try the augur’s skill, asked him, whether what he was then pondering in his mind could be effected?  Nae’vius, having consulted his auguries, boldly affirmed that it might:  “Why, then,” cries the king, with an insulting smile, “I had thoughts of cutting this whetstone with a razor.”  “Cut boldly,” replied the augur; and the king cut it through accordingly.  Thenceforward nothing was undertaken in Rome without consulting the augurs, and obtaining their advice and approbation.

9.  Tarquin was not content with a kingdom, without having also the ensigns of royalty.  In imitation of the Lyd’ian kings, he assumed a crown of gold, an ivory throne, a sceptre with an eagle on the top, and robes of purple.  It was, perhaps, the splendour of these royalties that first raised the envy of the late king’s sons, who had now, for above thirty-seven years, quietly submitted to his government.  His design also of adopting Ser’vius Tul’lius, his son-in-law, for his successor, might have contributed to inflame their resentment. 10.  Whatever was the cause of their tardy vengeance, they resolved to destroy him; and, at last, found means to effect their purpose, by hiring two ruffians, who, demanding to speak with the king, pretending that they came for justice, struck him dead in his palace with the blow of an axe.  The lictors, however, who waited upon the person of the king, seized the murderers as they were attempting to escape, and put them to death:  but the sons of Ancus, who were the instigators, found safety in flight.

11.  Thus fell Lu’cius Tarquin’ius, surnamed Pris’cus, to distinguish him from one of his successors of the same name.  He was eighty years of age, and had reigned thirty-eight years.[3]

Questions for Examination.

1.  Who was Lucius Tarquinius Priscus?

2.  What occasioned his removal to Rome, and what circumstances attended it?

3.  Was this presage fulfilled, and by what means?

4.  In what manner did he govern?

5.  Was Tarquin a warlike prince?

6.  How did he improve his victories?

7.  By what act did he insure the obedience of his subjects?

8.  What contributed to increase the reputation of the augurs?

9.  What part of his conduct is supposed, to have raised the envy of the late king’s sons?

10.  What was the consequence of this envy and resentment?

11.  What was his age, and how long did he reign?

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